DOUANIER Rousseau (Henri)

Henri Rousseau, known as Le Douanier Rousseau (1844-1910), a master of naïve art admired by Picasso and Apollinaire, painted dreamlike jungles. Discover above the works offered by Galerie 125.

Le Douanier Rousseau, Master of Naïve Art

Henri Julien Félix Rousseau, known as Le Douanier Rousseau, was born in Laval on 21 May 1844 and died in Paris on 2 September 1910. He is the great representative of naïve art. Coming from a modest family, he worked at the Paris tollhouse (the octroi), which earned him his nickname, and taught himself to paint.

Dreamed-of Jungles

Without ever having left France, Rousseau painted countless lush jungles, peopled with wild beasts and mysterious figures, inspired by illustrated books and the greenhouses of the Jardin des plantes. His elaborate technique and childlike-seeming style long drew mockery, until the Salon des indépendants brought him favourable reviews from 1891 onwards.

The Admiration of the Avant-Garde

Towards the end of his life, he was admired by Apollinaire, Alfred Jarry, Robert Delaunay, Marie Laurencin and Pablo Picasso, who held a famous banquet in his honour at the Bateau-Lavoir. His work profoundly influenced the Surrealists. "What he saw was nothing but love," said Paul Éluard of him.

Le Douanier Rousseau at Galerie 125

Galerie 125 presents above lithographed exhibition posters devoted to Le Douanier Rousseau, from the Maison de la pensée française (1960) and the Galerie Charpentier (1961), offered at €95. Each of these works can be ordered online and joins your collection with a certificate from the gallery.

Lovers of naïve art will also discover the lithographs of William Deliège. Browse our original art posters.

Do you own a work by Le Douanier Rousseau and wish to sell it? Please see our Sell a work page.